The Ministry of Health’s Dengue Prevention Programme has been ongoing throughout the year and has been intensified due to the onset of the rainy season and will continue to focus on:

• Inspection of all premises, drains and high risk areas nationwide
• Spraying of homes where there is increased likelihood for the presence of Dengue Fever cases. This involves the use of insecticides on the walls and fogging around the buildings, as well as the use of spraying from the road via the ultra low volume (ULV) machine
• Applying a larvicidal to kill mosquito larvae in water stored in barrels for drinking
• Oiling of stagnant water bodies
• Dengue Fever health education via loud speakers and flyers to residents of the affected areas
• The reduction of sources for the breeding of the Dengue-spreading Aedes Aegypti mosquito via community dengue health education and the collaboration with the Regional Corporations for clean up orders and notices, as well as clean up campaigns for the removal of all discarded materials and containers that are liable to hold water.

The Ministry of Health will be publishing the dengue spraying periodically to update the public on areas currently being treated. An increase in mosquitoes and Dengue Fever cases is expected this year due to the long dry season and early rainy season. This is occurring throughout the Caribbean and also parts of Miami. Spraying by staff from the Ministry’s Insect Vector Control Unit only kills adult mosquitoes not eggs and larvae. If mosquitoes return after an area is sprayed, then there are mosquito-breeding sites in the area, which must be eliminated by the collaborative work of the community and the Regional Corporation. Whereas the Ministry of Health will continue to do its part via the spraying and treatment of areas around homes and buildings, the elimination of mosquito breeding sites around homes and in communities is critical to prevent mosquitoes and thus Dengue Fever.

To prevent the spread of this disease, persons should check around the house at least once a week for mosquito breeding sites and get rid of them. The public is advised to practice source reduction through:
• Disposal of all unwanted containers in the yard or environs which when exposed to the rain can collect water e.g. styrotex cups, bottles, old tyres;
• Covering of all water-containing containers such as barrels, drums or buckets with a mosquito-proof covering;
• Checking your guttering and making sure that the water flows freely without any obstruction by leaves or branches, and guttering is free from any kinks;
• Emptying the pan under the refrigerator which can collect water;
• Emptying and scrubbing the sides of water vases or using dirt or sand instead to support the flowers;
• Ensuring that the drains in your compound allow the free flow of water.
• If persons have a lot of mosquitoes in their areas they may:
• Call the Ministry of Health’s Insect Vector Control Department at 663-2281
• Call their Regional Corporation
• Call the Ministry of Health’s Hotline at 800-WELL (9355)
Email the Ministry of Health at www.corpcomm@health.gov.tt
Surveillance and monitoring is ongoing for Dengue Fever cases and the Ministry of Health will update the public
periodically.

If a person shows signs of Dengue Fever, seek immediate attention at the nearest health facility. Please heed the medical advice from the doctor in terms of what medication to take and for the duration of any sick leave recommended. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN, or similar medications such as Motrin, Cataflam, Olfen or Ibuprofen. These may cause complications such as bleeding which can cause shock. The Ministry of Health via the Regional Health Authorities (RHA’s) has implemented Dengue Hospital Management Plans. The Public Health Sector supports all referrals from the private sector.

Additional measures have been implemented at Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments at Hospitals and District Health Facilities nationwide to deal with the increase in patients seeking treatment for Dengue Fever. Improved patient waiting times have been achieved via: Training update for clinicians in the management of Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic and Dengue shock syndrome. Wards have been dedicated to review Dengue cases and house persons awaiting blood reports. Additional beds have been added to these Wards primarily for the monitoring of Dengue cases. Additional doctors have also been assigned to increase the compliment of physicians assigned to the A&E Departments.

Additional Dengue Rapid Test Kits have been provided to the A&E Departments to provide faster results within 15 minutes. This allows for the management of possible cases in a more efficient
manner. Laboratory support has also been strengthened to ensure a faster turnaround time of the tests that are to be done, thereby reducing the waiting period for the test results.

At Health Facilities:
• Ongoing Surveillance for Dengue Fever Cases
• Dengue Fever Education lectures are being conducted at clinics
• Adequate stocks of dengue rapid test kits are available